Resource Efficient Cities

Sustainable Cities

UNEP recognizes the growing need to address global environmental concerns from an urban perspective and to integrate the urban dimension of global environmental issues. More specifically, UNEP aims to promote the link between international cooperation and local action.

In order to respond to the needs of an increasingly urbanizing world, UNEP supports cities in emphasizing interventions that have both local and global benefits. Areas of focus include, among others, buildings and infrastructure, transport, air pollution, waste and water management, biodiversity and ecosystems. In cooperation with partners, UNEP supports cities across the world in addressing environmental impacts and in integrating the environment into their long-term strategic planning. The emphasis of our activities is on supporting developing countries to develop and implement policies, through capacity building, technology and knowledge support. This includes policies supporting low-carbon, resource efficient and green growth as well as policies on mitigation and adaptation to a changing climate.